Shoe construction having a sole provided with a shank stiffener and selective elevated bone supporting areas



Jan. 14. 1969 5, J wy 3,421,518

SHOE CONSTRUCTION HAVING A SOLE PROVIDED WITH A SHANK STIFFENER AND SELECTIVE ELEVATED BONE SUPPORTING AREAS Filed Aug. 10, 1965 PRIOR R7 v INVENTOR. SIMON 1. WIKLER BYfLLfi/Awal? ronmey.

United States Patent Ofiice 3,421,518 Patented Jan. 14, 1969 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Improved shoe construction in which the outer arch, tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal, and plantar surfaces of the fourth and fifth toes of the foot are encouraged to assume greater weight-bearing functions by sole elevations at these regions of the shoe in conjunction with an inner heel elevation, a shank stiffener at the outer arch region, and a more flexible sole at the inner arch region.

This invention relates to improvements in the construction of shoes, and, more particularly, to an improved shoe construction the sole of which includes raised toe, shank, and heel surfaces arranged to encourage the utilization of certain bones and strengthening of those foot muscles which are desirably used in walking and standing and which, in many people, because of past deformations of the foot structure resulting from certain shoe constructions, are not normally utilized.

Modern shoe styling has, to an extent, sacrified foot health for design reasons. For instance, wearers of shoes have experienced the lack of breadth in the toe area, which in use has the effect, if long continued, of compressing the toes together so that the first, fourth and fifth toes are used less than would be the case if shoes were not worn. This results in a gradual weakening and distortion of these toes, and in order to compensate for this debilitation, wearers of such shoes may gradually begin to alter their gait, turning the toes outwardly so that there is a tendency to roll off the inner arch instead of maintaining the foot in a more favorable attiude with the longitudinal axis aligned with the direction of travel. With increasing tendency to walk in this manner, certain muscles are used less and less, toe distortions increase, and there occurs a consequent weight distribution pattern which places undue strain over the inner longitudinal arch, which gradually causes changes in the foot structure and results in less effectual use, not only of the feet, but also of other body postural components above the feet. In my previous patent, U.S. Letters Patent No. 2,607,132, a shoe construction has been disclosed which has been especially useful in preventing permanent deformation of the feet of young children. In order to compensate for permanent distortions which have occurred in the past for wearers of conventional shoes and to improve the shoes of the aforesaid U.S. Letters Patent No. 2,607,132, so as to compensate for and tend to correct previously adopted undesirable gait characteristics and deformities, the instant shoe construction causes better utilization of the bones and muscles of the feet, and thereby improves the weight distribution pattern of a wearer. The means of accomplish this, which will be described in detail hereinafter comprises a selectively elevated foot-receiving surface and, preferably, an inner arch of increased flexibility and an outer arch of increased rigidity.

The sole surface of the shoe construction is elevated or raised in three areas: In the inner portion of the heel, in

the toe area beneath the fourth and fifth toes, and in the outer arch surface.

The heel seat is raised at the inner portion because, in weakened feet, characteristically, the inner borders of the heels are inclined downwardly and the outer borders upwardly from the soles of the shoes with the result that the flow of weight in walking is encouraged to go forward along the inner heel and inner arch instead of the outer heel and outer arch. While inner heel wedges have been utilized in the past in recognition of this problem, the raised heel portion or wedge of the instant shoe is beneficially utilized in combination with the additionally raised portons described hereinafter and, preferably, in combination with an inner arch of increased flexibility and an outer arch with a particular shank for support and with the shoe construction disclosed in US. Letters Patent No. 2,607,132.

The raised portion of the floor of the toe area compensates for toes which have been deformed and bent backwards by shoes which did not permit their assuming an attitude in normal breadth. By reason of the elevation of the fourth and fifth toes, these toes are, thus, provided with an opportunity for (a) increased purchase in walking, (b) contact with the sole to aid balance in walking, (c) contact with the sole to aid balance when standing, and (d) overall weight-bearing action to exercise them. It will be readily apparent upon examination of my former patent, U.S. Letters Patent No. 2,607,132, that this raised portion in the toe area, if included in the construction there disclosed, will permit and tend to require active utilization of the fourth and fifth toes in feet which have been deformed either permanently or are in the process of being deformed in younger people.

The raised portion of the outer arch is utilized to increase greater weight bearing opportunity at the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal area and adjacent areas.

In unshod people, as compared with habitually shod people, the outer arch surface has a denser layer of muscle which fills in the convex arch and causes weight bearing function by the outer arch bones. In the feet of persons of shoe-wearing societies, this weight-bearing is lacking in varying degrees, placing concentrated forces on the other weight-bearing areas of the foot and decreasing the size of the weight distribution pattern. Conventional heel elevations further affect the normal weight distribution pattern.

To distribute the weight betweeen the ball area and the elevated heel, manufacturers utilize a rigid shank stiffener; however, that shank stiffener is placed in the center, rather than along the outer arch (cuboid fourth and fifth metatarsals) as in the present invention. Also, in conventional shoes the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal area is cradled by the upper of the shoe rather than resting on the sole. It is thus seen that shoes as currently constructed do not favor weight-bearing by the outer arches to the extent recommended by authorities in the field. Thus, the wedgeshaped outer arch weight-bearing elevated area of the instant invention, the special shank, and the enlarged fifth tuberosity area are provided in combination to enable the plantar surfaces of the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal area to be utilized in weight-bearing.

Increased flexibility for the inner arch portion of the shoe construction is provided by transverse corrugations which permit flexing of the shoe with less force than is required in ordinary constructions. Additional inner arch flexibility is provided by a novel last configuration. Also, preferably, to give firmness to the outer arch relative to the flexible inner arch, the shank stiffener of the invention is inclined from the center of the forward part of the heel area in a lateral direction away from the flexible corrugated construction so as to underlay the outer area of the foot, extending from the heel to a point behind the fourth and fifth metatarsal phalangeal joints.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invetion to provide a shoe construction which encourages and permits fuller use of the foot bones and muscles and weight-bearing surfaces of the outer portion of the foot and fuller use of the toes, especially the fourth and fifth toes, and which is constructed so as to direct weight flow along the longitudinal axis of the foot.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved outer arch weight-bearing surface by means of heel wedges on the inner side of the heel which, in combination with other elevated portions serve to position the heel more securely in the shoe heel portion and deter any tendency of the heel to slide forward in the shoe.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an elevation at the fifth metatarsal tuberosity area for increased weight-bearing and, consequently, support by that part of the foot.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a flexible construction for the inner arch of the shoe comprising transverse corrugations and to teach an improved construction of the last at the side of the inner arch.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a shoe including a novel supportive shank stiffener lateral of the flexible corrugated area aforesaid at a position adapted to underlay the outer longitudinal arch of a wearer.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a raised weight-bearing surface underlying the fourth and fifth toes to increase the purchase of the plantar surfaces of these toes and also to encourage distorted dorsally extended toes to assume an increased weight-be-raing attitude within the shoe.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improvement in the shoe construction of US. Letters Patent No. 2,607,132, and to adapt the said shoe construction for increased utilization of the bones of the foot and muscles even though a wearers foot has been somewhat deformed and distorted in the manner referred to in the said patent.

Another object of this invention is to provide a shoe construction which will encourage eflicient performance of the bones and muscles of the feet which would normally be utilized if the wearer had never worn shoes and in spite of the fact that shoes may have been worn which tended to deform the feet, which construction is simple and economical and is adapted to be readily manufactured in quantities.

In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings: 7

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view, partly broken away of a heeless shoe construction of the invention incorporating features in US. Letters Patent 2,607,132;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view partly broken away, of a similar shoe with a raised heel and supportive shank stiffener;

FIG. 2A is a vertical sectional view of an individual sole of the invention with raised heel toe and shank surfaces, the heel elevation being shown in dotted lines because it is at the inner side of the sole, whereas the others are at the outer side;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on a plane above the weight-bearing surface of the shoe of FIG. 1 and indicating a foot in dotted lines;

FIG. 4 is a similar view of a shoe of conventional outer configuration;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to that of FIG. 3 and illustrating the position of the shank stiffener and the transverse corrugations;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a shoe last for producing shoes constructed in accordance with elements of this i ve io FIG. 7 is a similar view of a conventional shoe last used for comparison purposes;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating unshod feet in a preferred attitude when standing or walking with the weight flowing through the long axis of the foot; and

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating unshod feet positioned or pivoted so that the weight flows through the inner arch rather than the long axis of the foot.

Before considering the invention in more detail with respect to the specific construction thereof, and in order to facilitate a ready understanding of the following paragraphs, certain bones of the foot have been identified in the drawings by inclusion therein of their proper names. In connection with this designation, it will be appreciated that, although normal feet are of many sizes and various shapes, all have certain basic anatomical and physiological characteristics in common, pertinent in chief being the fact that all human feet have the same principal weightbearing areas in common, the heel, the outer side of the foot, the ball of the foot and the large part of the plantar surfaces of the toes. It is the purpose of the instant invention to increase the weight-bearing function of these surfaces.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the different views, and referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the numeral 11 generally designates a shoe including a toe area of the shoe 12, throat 14, shank area 16, heel area 18, heel seat 20, and outer sole 24, the shoe of FIG. 2 being similar to that of FIG. 1 and having an elevated heel 22 and supportive shank stiffener 27. In FIG. 5, the numeral 23 indicates the outer arch area of the last and shoes, while the numeral 29 indicates the inner arch area and the numeral 25 the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal area. It is seen that side walls of the heel and the heel seat are adapted to snugly receive the heel of a wearer in the position indicated therein. Since the heel consists of a single bone, the snug fitting of the shoe in this area does not interfere with the operation of the various joints, bones and muscles of the foot. In the instant invention the heel seat is provided on the inner side of the heel with a wedge-type elevation means 26, which is generally arcuate as seen in plan with the edge 28 being generally congruent to the line of juncture of the heel seat and the side walls of the heel upper from a forwardmost point 34 behind an imaginary transverse line identified by the number 35 and passing behind the calcaneal cuboid joint to a rearwardmost point at the longitudinal center line of the heel seat of the shoe. The leading or forward edge 30 of the heel elevation means extends transversely inwardly toward the center line of the shoe a distance just less than one-half the breadth of the shank. At the innermost point it curves rearwardly and is slightly re-entrant, that is, curves toward the side wall 32 of the heel upper to form an inner edge 36 to a point of maximum re-entrance where it again curves inwardly as indicated by the edge designated by the numeral 37 to curl around the back part of the heel to where it merges and blends with the aforesaid rearwardmost point of the elevation means at 39. It is noted that the plane of the elevation means is elevated with respect to the main plane of the heel seat and that the margins of the pad in the heel seat are inclined or beveled so as to blend with the surrounding heel surface. The higher portion of the elevation is to gently support the inner side of the calcaneus and tend to tilt it outwardly. The inclined marginal areas of the elevation means being generally designated by the numeral 44. Inclined margins are not required on the edge of the elevation means which abuts the heel upper and preferably the height of the said means will be at least & of an inch and not more than of an inch for adult shoes; however, the criteria in use are, of course, the condition of the feet of the wearer and his particular weight and size. In construction, the heel elevation means may either be inserted as a separate wedge on the top or under the innersole. Also, the effects to be obtained from such a heel elevation means may be realized by use in a separate sole or by incorporating it in the manufacture of the shoe with suitable allowances being made for it in the last, or, alternatively, adapting it for inclusion between the upper and lower layer of an innersole in the position indicated in the drawings.

A toe elevation means 51 for the fourth and fifth toe A and B is also provided, the said toe elevation means being disposed generally diagonally from about from a point designated by the number 45 where a transverse line number 47 would bisect the proximal phalanx of the small toe. This elevation means is in side-surface abutting relation with the outer front corner 52 of the shoe. The edge of the toe elevation means runs along a rearwardmost line 54 forward of the fourth and fifth metatarsal phalangeal joint 56, and extends at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal center line of the shoe construction, which is inclined with respect thereto at an angle of approximately 30 degrees, to a point 58 which is about /5 of the way across the toe area so as to underlay the fourth toe. At the point 58, the edge curves forwardly along a line 60 to the front of the shoe. The posterior and inner borders 62 and 74, respectively, are beveled or inclined so that the main surface of the elevated means is feathered into the level of the surrounding surface. Again, the elevation of the main portion of the pad is preferably at least of an inch and not more than as of an inch for adult shoes, and, also, this elevation may be used as a separate sole, incorporated as a pad in the innersole, or placed under the innersole or on top of it. Also, as is the case with the heel pad, it may comprise a part of the last, in which case suitable filler should be incorporated into the shoe construction. Also, the front and outer borders of the elevation are to be in flush, side-surface abutting relation with the shoe and are not beveled so that as the toes spread within the shoe, the small toe, for example, will have a uniform height of elevation in any of the positions which it may assume.

Additionally, an intermediate raised area 72 is provided to elevate and nestle beneath the area of the cuboid, tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal, posterior portions and shafts of the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones, said elevation being located just forward of the transverse line number and just backwardly of the fourth and fifth metatarsalphalangeal joints. This raised area is in side surface abutting relation with the outer edge of the shoe and extends outwardly therefrom along edge 74 and in shoes with features of Patent No. 2,607,132, it fits into the flair 75 for the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal. The entire length of this raised area on the outer side is Hush and along the side of the shoe and is in side surface abutting relation therewith. The inner edge 76, of the intermediate elevated portion 72 within the shoe, that is, the edge closer to the greater toe side of the shoe, is provided with a moderate bevel or inclined margin 78 similar to that of the toe and heel elevation means so that the edges do not press into the skin, while the bevel at the front is elongated to define a plane which approximates the incline of the metatarsal shafts from a line 73, which is the forward and upper brink edge of the area 72 located about one-half the overall length of this elevated area as seen in plan, and this inclined portion descends to a feathered leading edge 80. By reason of this construction, there is obtained the highest elevation under the fifth tuberosity and forward outer portion of the cuboid which gradually lowers in a gently sloping plane to the feathered, thin edge behind the fourth and fifth metatarsal-phalangeal joints. This maximum elevation, as is the case with the heel and toe pads, is preferably between of an inch and of an inch, and, also, may be used as a separate sole or inserted as a separate pad either on top of, under, or as a part of the innersole. Further, this pad may be included as a part of the shoe in that the eievation is incorporated into the last and filler or sole material may be added to fill the pocket thus created.

It is noted that by reason of the elevation means for the heel in combination with the intermediate raised area, the heel is effectively positioned in the heel seat as the confronting portions of the said elevation means tend to define a neck between raised portions tending to captivate the calcaneal within the heel.

The elevation means referred to above, and especially the tuberosity area elevation means may be of any number of a variety of suitable materials which are commonly used in the elevation of innersoles and shoes; however, it is important, especially with respect to the fifth metatarsal t-uberosity elevation means, that this pad be of flexible material.

Referring to FIGURE 5, the preferred shank stiffener 27 is shown. The rearwardmost point of the shank stiffener is set in the center of the shank of the shoe at a point approximately behind a transverse line which is designated by the number 35. From this point the shank stiffener curves outwardly and forwardly so that it approximately bisects the cuboid bone and curves from this point of bisection more forwardly so that it lies approximately between the shafts of the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones to a terminal point well behind the head of the fifth metatarsal bone 94. The material of the shank stiffener can be steel, wood, plastic or any other suitable supportive material.

The last should have fullness, as seen in FIGURES 6 and 7, through the inner arch 95, as contrasted with the usual inner arch of the prior art which is less full and supportive as at 96. Also, the inner border of the last 97 should be well defined in contrast to the fuller ill defined inner border area which characterizes most lasts. Additionally, the last may have provision for the fifth tuberosity flare 98 and be fanned out as in the toe area 99 in the manner described in US. Patent 2,607,132.

Referring to FIGURE 5, it is seen that the inner arch area is selectively weakened to render the sole of the shoe more flexible in that area by means of transverse corrugations, that is, high and low alternative ribs and grooves which extend from the outer edge of that arcuate line which extends from the transverse line 35 to a point hebind the first metatarsal phalangeal articulation and laterally transversely in an arcuate pattern broadest at its center of a dimension not to exceed one-half of the transverse dimensions of the shank of the shoe.

It is thus seen that one wearing shoes constructed in accordance with this invention may be encouraged to Walk with the feet in the attitude indicated in FIGURE 8 at F, that is, with the weight W progressing along the long axis of the foot which is in contrast to the situation shown in FIGURE 9 with the Weight W progressing or rolling off the inner arch of the feet F.

While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to 'be accorded the full scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A shoe which prevents deformation of the foot, comprising a sole and an upper, said upper including a counter portion and a toe portion, said counter portion being narrow and shaped to engage the foot securely from a point behind the calcaneal cuboid articulation on the outer side thereof to a point on the inner side thereof behind the first metatarsal phalangeal articulation, the toe portion of the sole and upper being flared outwardly and forwardly at both the inner and outer edges adjacent the great and small toes to allow spaces between the great toe and the inner edge and between the small toe and the outer edge of the upper to permit the abducting of said toes, said sole and said upper additionally including an outwardly extending curved portion adjacent the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal of the foot to accommodate the said tuberosity and its attached soft structures, and a rigid shank stiffener for the shank of the shoe associated with the sole to underlie substantially only the area of the forward edge portion of the calcaneus, the cuboid, and the area of the posterior portions and the shafts of the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones, said stiffener being adapted to extend forwardly and laterally outwardly from beneath and behind the forward edge of the calcaneous along a path at the outer side of the longitudinal center line of the sole and being substantially more rigid than the adjacent regions of the sole.

2. The shoe of claim 1, said sole having selectively weakened areas at the inner arch portion thereof for imparting greater flexibility thereto.

3. The shoe of claim 1, said sole having a raised portion adapted to elevate the outer area of the cuboid, tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal, and the posterior portions and shafts of the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones, said sole also having a raised portion for elevating the inner heel, the last-mentioned raised portion lying substantially completely to the inner side of the longitudinal center line of the sole, whereby the heel of the foot is locked between said raised portions and prevented from sliding forward.

4. For use in a shoe adapted to receive a human foot therein, an improved sole which has associated therewith a rigid shank stiffener for the shank of the shoe adapted to underlie substantially only the forward edge of the calcaneus, the cuboid, and the area of the posterior portions and shafts of the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones, said stiffener being adapted to extend forwardly and laterally outward from beneath and behind the forward edge of the calcaneus along a path at the outer side of the longitudinal center line of the sole and being substantially more rigid than the adjacent regions of the sole, said stiffener being substantially narrower than and substantially bisecting the cuboid, the inner arch region of the sole at the inner side of said longitudinal center line being substantially more flexible than the stiffened outer arch region at the said outer side of the longitudinal center line.

5. An improved sole in accordance with claim 4, wherein said sole has a raised portion adapted to elevate the outer area of the cuboid, tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal, and the posterior portions and shafts of the foutrh and fifth metatarsal bones, said raised portion being restricted substantially to the outer side of the longitudinal center line of the sole and terminating behind the heads of the fourth and fifth metatarsals, and further comprising a raised heel portion restricted substantially to the inner side of the longitudinal center line of the sole.

6. For use in a shoe for receiving a human foot therein, an improved sole having a raised portion adapted to elevate the outer area of the cuboid, posterior portions and shafts of the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones, and tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal, said raised portion being restricted substantially to the outer side of the longitudinal center line of the sole, having a forward edge behind the phalangeal metatarsal joints and a rear-ward edge substantially at the calcaneal cuboid joint, and a raised heel portion restricted substantially to the inner side of the longitudinal center line and having a forward edge inwardly adjacent to the calcaneal cuboid joint, whereby the heel of the foot is locked between said raised portions and prevented from sliding forward.

7. The improved sole of claim 6, said sole further comprising a raised portion positioned to elevate substantially only the fourth and fifth toes and having a rear edge forward of the fourth and fifth phalangeal metatarsal joints.

8. The improved sole of claim 6, said raised heel portion having a side surface at the inner side of the heel adapted to abut with the side walls of the heel seat of the shoe, said raised heel portion being adapted to underlie the forward innermost apex area of the calcaneus and having a side edge extending rearwardly inward from the calcaneus area along a re-entrant arcuate path curling around the area of the rear inner edge of the calcaneus to a rearmost apex at about the said center line of the sole, only the last-mentioned side edge and the forward edge of the said raised heel portion being feathered downwardly to merge with the floor of the heel seat.

9. For use in a shoe adapted to receive a human foot, an improved sole which comprises a raised intermediate portion adapted to elevate the forward and outermost area of the cuboid, tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal, and the posterior portions and shafts of the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones, the raised portion having an outer side adapted to abut the shoe upper and having downwardly inclined borders at the front, rear, and inner edges only, the front edge of the said raised portion being located behind the heads of the said metatarsal bones, the said raised portion extending approximately between one-thirty-second and three-eighths of an inch above the surrounding area of the sole.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,510,890 10/1924 Hunter 128-612 1,981,677 11/1934 Stark 36-76 3,067,752 12/1962 Schaller et al. 128-615 XR 1,688,642 10/1928 Mattison 128607 2,220,439 11/1940 Block 128-605 2,607,132 8/1952 Wikler 128-581 2,713,732 7/1955 Guest 128-608 3,084,695 4/ 1963 ODonnell 128615 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

R. L. FRINKS, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

